scott



March 31, 1964 R. s. SCOTT, JR

PRODUCT ENCIRCLING BAND 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed 001;. 23, 1961 E n O M m NE a Ma A. M

March 31, 1964 R. G. SCOTT, JR 3,127,090

PRODUCT ENCIRCLING BAND Filed Oct. 23, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENIOR FA ymo wo G. Scan; JR.

BY Qwa ATTORNEY United States Patent ()fiiice 3,127,090 Patented Mar. 31, 1964 3,127,690 PRQDUCT ENCIRCLLNG BAND Raymond G. Scott, .lrz, Edina, Minn., assignoito Waldorf Paper Products Company, Ramsey County, Minn, a corporation of Minnesota Filed Get. 23, 196i, Ser. No. 146,821 2 Claims. (Cl. 229-87) This invention relates to an improvement in product encircling band and deals particularly with the provision of a paperboard band designed to encircle a series of weiners or a similar product.

Product encircling bands have been commonly used in the packaging of products such as weiners or the like. These bands are often provided with a backing panel which is approximately the full size of the product to be packaged and paperboard strips which are connected to opposite sides of the backing sheet and which are de signed to lock in product encircling position. Bands of this type provide a good display of the product and at the same time provide space for advertising display. The backing sheet may be used for recipes and cooking directions which do not necessarily form a part of the advertising display. The band holds the product in proper assembled form until the product is overwrapped, usually with a transparent film of heat sealable material which is heat sealed against the bottom panel of the collar.

One of the requirements of a collar of this type lies in the fact that the hand must be eifectively locked in product encircling position. If the lock is not effective, the band will open up during movement of the product to the overwrapping machine, the product will spill in the path of movement of the packages, and the entire packaging line must be stopped until the improperly closed collar and product is withdrawn. Where the bands are locked manually, they may be eliectively closed due to the fact that a hook shaped lock may be used which may be eifectively closed manually but which are difiicult to close mechanically. The onlyway to positively insure the locking of the bands, the lock which is inserted must be longer than the slot through which it extends so that the disengagement of the locking tongue is virtually impossible at least accidentally. It is an object of the present invention to provide a lock including a locking tongue which may be inserted through a slot, and in providing a locking slot which is actually shorter in width than the tongue so as to more positively lock the band in closed position.

An object of the present invention lies in the provision of a locking tongue which is notched along opposite edges to provide lateral hook shaped projections designed to engage inwardly of the panel through which the locking tongue is inserted to prevent removal of the tongue. The panel through which the tongue extends is provided with an inclined slot which is of a length slightly less than the distance between the ends of the hook shaped projections. In preferred form, an aperture is provided in the Wall adjoining the locking slit to simplify the insertion of the rounded extremity of the locking tongue. As the locking tongue is inserted, one hook shaped side of the lock extends through the slot prior to the other, the rounded forward edge of the lock guiding the locking tongue in a downward angular direction due to engagement with the corresponding end of the slit. As soon as the hook shaped shoulder of the locking tongue extends through the slot, the rounded surface of the opposite locking shoulder engages the lower or opposite end of the locking slot, causing to move the locking tongue downwardly and angularly at a reverse direction as compared to the movement during the first operaton until the opposite shoulder passes completely through the slot. Due to the fact that the locking tongue must move angularly during insertion and removal from the slot, and due to the fact that the pressure tending to open the band acts in a direction normal to the backing panel, the band remains effectively locked during the transportation of the package to the overwrapping machine.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a longitudinally extending crease which extends centrally through the locking tongue. This crease, in effect, forms a channel shaped reinforcing rib which stiifens the locking tongue sufiiciently to prevent the tongue from curling during its insertion into the locking slot.

These and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims:

In the drawings forming a part of the specification;

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the product encircled by the band before the product is conveyed to the overwrapping machine.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the panel and locking tongue as the locking tongue enters the locking slot.

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 as one locking shoulder of the locking tongue passes completely through the slot.

FIGURE 4 is a View similar to FIGURES 2 and 3 but showing the locking tongue fully engaged in the slot.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view through the locking tongue, the position of the section being indicated by the line 55 of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 6 is a diagrammatic view of the blank from which the product encircling band is formed.

As is best illustrated in FIGURE 6 of the drawings, the band includes a generally rectangular backing sheet 19 foldably connected along one edge 11 to a generally trapezoidal side wall 12. The trapezoidal shape of the side walls is not essential, but this shape is employed so that the portion of the band which overlies the product may be substantially wider than the backing panel so as to better display the product.

The backing panel It is also connected along a fold line 13 to a second trapezoidal side wall 14, the fold lines 11 and 13 being parallel. The shorter parallel edge of the trapezoidal side wall 14 is connected along the fold line 15 to a top strap portion 16, the strap 16 is of a length substantially equal to the distance between the fold lines 11 and 13 on the backing panel 10 and is foldably connected along a fold line 17 to a locking tongue 19. The locking tongue 19 is provided with a rounded extremity 20, and the sides of the locking tongue are notched as indicated at 21 and 22 respectively. These notches define shoulders 23 and 24 respectively, and in and which is in inclined or diverging relation relative.

to the fold line 12 and the end edge 27 of the panel.

The length of the slit 25 between the ends 29 and 30' thereof is preferably slightly shorter than the distance be- 7 tween the pointed ends 31 and 32 of the locking shoulders 23a and 24 respectively. An arcuate out line 33 has its ends terminating on the out line 25 at points spaced from the ends 29 and 30, and acts to provide a segment shaped opening through which the rounded end 20 of the locking tongue may extend. While the aperture is not entirely essential, it is desirable as it greatly simplifies the insertion of the locking tongue through the panel wall.

A crease 34 extends at right angles to the fold line 17 throughout substantially the entire length of the locking tongue 19. As is indicated in FIGURE 5 of the drawings, the crease forms a channel shaped rib extending longitudinally of the locking tongue which substantially increases stiffness in a longitudinal direction. The lock ing operation of the band is diagrammatically illustrated in FIGURES 2, 3, and 4 of the drawings. The product A such as a group of weiners substantially of uniform size are placed upon the back panel 10, usually while the side walls 12 and 14 are folded upwardly with relation thereto. To complete the closing operation, the top strap 16 is folded down, and the locking tongue 19 is bent at somewhat more than 90 degrees to the strap 16 and the rounded end 20 of the locking tongue is guided into the aperture 35 defined by the slit and the cut line 33. Due to the fact that the slot 25 is angularly related, and the end of the slot is closer to the upper edge 27 of the panel 12 than the point 32 of the locking tongue 19 is to the top of the locking tongue, the portion of the rounded edge 20 which is adjoining the shoulder point 32 will engage the end 20 of the slot while the portion of the rounded end 20 of the locking tongue near the shoulder tip 31 is still spaced from the end 29 of the slot. As a result, when the locking tongue 19 moves downwardly to a greater extent from the position indicated in FIGURE 2 of the drawings, the downward movement will flex the tongue generally in the direction of the arrow 36 in FIGURE 12 until the tip 32 of the shoulder 24 passes by the end 30 of the slit 25.

At this point, the rounded end of the locking tongue 19 is substantially in engagement with the end 29 of the slot, the shoulder tip 32 having passed through the panel 12.

With the locking tongue in the general position illustrated in FIGURE 3 of the drawings, further downward pressure upon the locking tongue will cause the rounded edge 20 of the locking tongue 19 to engage the end 29 of the slot 25. Accordingly further downward pressure upon the locking tongue from the position illustrated in FIGURE 3 of the drawings, causes the locking tongue to flex in the general direction of the arrow 37 until the point 32 of the locking shoulder 23 passes through the slot 25. At this point, the lock is entirely engaged, and both of the points 30 and 31 will be on the inner surface of the wall. As the distance between the points 31 and 32 are greater than the distance between the points 29 and 30 of the slot 25, this Zigzag movement of the locking tongue is necessary to either lock or unlock the band. However, there is no particular tendency for the product to rock the locking collar in the manner described and accordingly, the band will remain effectively locked until it has passed through the over-wrapping position. In actual practice, it remains locked until the package is opened, but the time from which the band is locked until the time it is overwrapped is the most critical period as after overwrapping, the product is restrained.

While the end 20* of the locking tongue 19 has been described as rounded, the operation will function effectively if the ends were otherwise tapered. As a typical example of the proportions which have been used, the slit 25 may be one and three-eighths inches long, and the distance bet-ween the tips 31 and 32 of the projections may be one and seven-sixteenths inches. The shoulder 23 may be somewhat less than one eighth inch farther from the fold line 17 than the shoulder 24, when the slit 25 is at an angle of about eight degrees from a line parallel to the fold lines.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation of my improvement in Product Encircling Band, and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A product encircling band including a bottom panel, first and second side wall panels hinged to parallel opposite edges of said bottom panel and extending upwardly therefrom, a top panel hinged to the upper edge of said first side wall and foldable into parallel relation to said bottom panel, a locking tongue hinged to said top panel and foldable into face contact with said second side wall panel, said locking tongue having a rounded lower end and having notches in opposite side edges forming hook shaped lateral projections provided with upwardly facing locking shoulders thereupon, said second side wall having a locking slot therein of a length not substantially greater than the distance between the tips of said projections, said slot being inclined and having one end above the level of the other, whereby insertion of said locking tongue into said slot causes the rounded edges of the tongue to engage the higher end of the slot until the adjacent projection enters the slot while the other projection is above the lower end of the slot, and whereby upon further insertion of the tongue the rounded end of the tongue engages the lower end of the slot moving the said adjacent projection beneath the higher end of the slot runtil said other projection passes through the slot, the upwardly facing shoulder of said adjacent projection being above the level of the locking shoulder of the other projection.

2. A product encircling band including a bottom panel, first and second side wall panels hinged to parallel opposite edges of said bottom panel and extending upwardly therefrom, a top panel hinged to the upper edge of said first side wall and foldable into parallel relation to said bottom panel a locking tongue hinged to said top panel and foldable into face contact with said second side wall panel, said locking tongue having a tapered lower end and having notches in opposite side edges forming hook shaped lateral projections provided with upwardly facing locking shoulders thereupon, said second side wall having a locking slot therein of a length not substantially greater than the distance between the tips of said projections, said slot being inclined and having an end above the level of the other, whereby insertion of said locking tongue into said slot causes the tapered edges of the tongue to engage the higher end of the slot until the adjacent projection enters the slot while the other projection is above the lower end of the slot, and whereby upon further insertion of the tongue the tapered edge of the tongue engages the lower end of the slot moving the said adjacent projection beneath the higher end of the slot until the other projection enters the slot, the upwardly facing shoulder of said adjacent projection being above the level of the locking shoulder of the other projection.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,004,098 Andrews June 11, 1935 2,033,526 Kinkenon Mar. 10, 1936 2,209,593 Bernis July 30, 1940 2,625,315 Fehrenkamp Jan. 13, 1953 2,738,871 Vander Lugt Mar. 20, 1956 2,987,402 Dold June 6, 1961 3,012,705 Thiolat Dec. 12, 1961 3,018,938 Tolaas et al. Jan. 30, 1962 

1. A PRODUCT ENCIRCLING BAND INCLUDING A BOTTOM PANEL, FIRST AND SECOND SIDE WALL PANELS HINGED TO PARALLEL OPPOSITE EDGES OF SAID BOTTOM PANEL AND EXTENDING UPWARDLY THEREFROM, A TOP PANEL HINGED TO THE UPPER EDGE OF SAID FIRST SIDE WALL AND FOLDABLE INTO PARALLEL RELATION TO SAID BOTTOM PANEL, A LOCKING TONGUE HINGED TO SAID TOP PANEL AND FOLDABLE INTO FACE CONTACT WITH SAID SECOND SIDE WALL PANEL, SAID LOCKING TONGUE HAVING A ROUNDED LOWER END AND HAVING NOTCHES IN OPPOSITE SIDE EDGES FORMING HOOK SHAPED LATERAL PROJECTIONS PROVIDED WITH UPWARDLY FACING LOCKING SHOULDERS THEREUPON, SAID SECOND SIDE WALL HAVING A LOCKING SLOT THEREIN OF A LENGTH NOT SUBSTANTIALLY GREATER THAN THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE TIPS OF SAID PROJECTIONS, SAID SLOT BEING INCLINED AND HAVING ONE END ABOVE THE LEVEL OF THE OTHER, WHEREBY INSERTION OF SAID LOCKING TONGUE INTO SAID SLOT CAUSES THE ROUNDED EDGES OF THE TONGUE TO ENGAGE THE HIGHER END OF THE SLOT UNTIL THE ADJACENT PROJECTION ENTERS THE SLOT WHILE THE OTHER PROJECTION IS ABOVE THE LOWER END OF THE SLOT, AND WHEREBY UPON FURTHER INSERTION OF THE TONGUE THE ROUNDED END OF THE TONGUE ENGAGES THE LOWER END OF THE SLOT MOVING THE SAID ADJACENT PROJECTION BENEATH THE HIGHER END OF THE SLOT UNTIL SAID OTHER PROJECTION PASSES THROUGH THE SLOT, THE UPWARDLY FACING SHOULDER OF SAID ADJACENT PROJECTION BEING ABOVE THE LEVEL OF THE LOCKING SHOULDER OF THE OTHER PROJECTION. 